On December 5, 2014, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company requested a 45 percent increase on a block of business of group long-term care policies which were sold in Connecticut before 2010.

They are no longer being marketed. There are 2,817 policies in force in Connecticut.

The company said in its filing that the increase is needed because of a higher demand for benefits over a longer period that “far exceeds original pricing expectations.”

Unlike medical health insurance with premiums set to cover expenses incurred only during the upcoming policy year, long term care premiums are set to cover expenses that are not expected to occur until a distant date, sometimes 20 years in the future.

If approved, the average yearly premium in Connecticut would rise from $877 to $1,272 or approximately $32 a month. The company said it will offer its customers options to reduce or change benefits to offset the impact of an increase. The company must also comply with state law that requires any long-term care rate increase of 20 percent or more be spread out over three or more years.